The Lake

Named for its "lake of sand" — the broad, pale channel lying between the two ridges of the southern double-reef system. After an easy entry into usually calm water and a long swim out, divers choose their story: a relaxed shallow drift along the first reef's fine hard and soft corals, or a compass crossing of the sand lake to a second reef with distinctly different, sponge-heavy topography. Garden eels carpet the channel edges; rock beauties, trunkfish and angelfish work the coral; eagle rays and southern stingrays sail the outer ridge. Quieter than its famous neighbour wreck, and better for it.